Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Ph.D.

Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
College of Biological Sciences
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-624-6770, fax: 612-624-6777)
  • Program Type: Doctorate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2015
  • Length of program in credits: 48
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The graduate program in ecology, evolution, and behavior (EEB) links faculty and students interested in the biology of organisms from molecules to ecosystems. Studies address questions from molecular mechanisms of evolution, the interactions of organisms in social groups and populations, the distributions and abundances of species in communities and ecosystems, to global biogeochemical processes. The program provides broad training in the general areas of ecology, evolution, and animal behavior, and specialized courses and research in vertebrate and invertebrate zoology; behavior and ethology; evolution; population genetics; molecular evolution; systematics; population, community, and ecosystem ecology; global ecology; limnology; ecology of vegetation; and theoretical ecology. Opportunities for field research are available in Africa, Central America, and other parts of the world, as well as in local ecosystems, including the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve and Itasca Biological Station. Seminars and individually designed tutorials are an important part of student programs and provide an exciting intellectual environment.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Courses in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general physics, one year of college calculus, animal biology, genetics, physiology, and plant biology are strongly recommended and provide an important background to pursue graduate work in EEB. Proficiency in a foreign language is not required but is strongly recommended for students who expect to pursue field work in a country where English is not the native language. Deficiencies must be made up early in the graduate program.
Special Application Requirements:
Students are admitted only in fall semester. Deadline for application is December 1. Refer to the EEB website for more details.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 550
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
24 credits are required in the major.
24 thesis credits are required.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
A minimum of 24 graduate level course credits and 24 thesis credits are required in the major. At least 12 course credits are required for a minor. Significant field or laboratory experience, proficiency in using computers in research, and competence in advanced statistics are required. Students are expected to gain some appreciation of history or philosophy of science and are required to teach a minimum of two semesters at 50 percent time. Degree programs are planned by the student and an advisory committee of three to five faculty members.
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
Joint Degree Program in Law, Health & the Life Sciences Students may take a total of 12 credits in common among the academic programs.
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Biological Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2018
· Fall 2017
· Fall 2016

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